Download Water Facts Brochure 3.14.indd

How to Properly
Dispose of Unwanted
Medication
Do your part to limit the release of pharmaceuticals,
of any type, back into the water supply and/or
environment. Properly dispose of unused/expired
medications by following these simple guidelines
suggested by the White House Drug Policy (http://www.
whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/publications/pdf/prescrip_
disposal.pdf).
tDo not flush prescription drugs down the toilet
or drain unless the label or accompanying patient information specifically instructs you to do so.
tYou may be able to take advantage of community
drug take-back programs or other programs, such
as household hazardous waste collection events,
that collect drugs at a central location for proper
disposal.
1. When disposing drugs in your garbage, take your prescription drugs out of their original
containers. Treat medications (liquids and
pills) by adding water and then salt, ashes,
dirt, cat litter, coffee grounds, or another
undesirable substance, to avoid accidental
or intentional misuse of drugs. Do not conceal
discarded drugs in food to prevent consumption by scavenging humans, pets
or wildlife.
2. Hide all medications in an outer container,
such as sealable bag, box or plastic tub to
prevent discovery and removal from the
trash. Seal the container with strong tape.
3. Dispose of drugs as close to your trash
collection day as possible to avoid misuse
and/or misdirection.
Note: Be careful in handling medications. Some drugs
can cause harm if handled by people other than those to
whom they were prescribed. Also, avoid crushing pills
as some medications can be harmful in powder form.
The Water Drop Logo
The water drop logo represents the concept that from
one drop, the ripples can travel very far. Our actions
can have a lasting and far-reaching effect. It is also
a reminder that a small but consistent action can,
like the water drop, produce a very dramatic change.
Just as a drop of water can change the shape of a
stone, so too can our efforts bring dramatic change
to Iowa.
Ever Wonder...
Just How
Important
Water Is?
IRWA has several means available for you to contact
us with questions or concerns:
Iowa Rural Water Association
4221 S 22nd Ave East
Newton, Iowa 50208
(800) 747-7782
641-787-0330
Fax 641-787-0331
www.iowaruralwater.org
Email us at [email protected]
4221 South 22nd Avenue East
Newton, Iowa 50208
800-747-7782
641-787-0330 • Fax 641-787-0331
www.iowaruralwater.org
What YOU can do to protect and
save your source of Drinking Water
(based on suggestions by the Environmental Protection Agency)
Automotive
Plumbing/Septic Systems
t Recycle used oil and antifreeze at service stations
t
Have automotive fluid leaks fixed
t
Clean up spills immediately
t
Do not pour used oil, antifreeze or other
chemicals on the ground or down a storm drain
t Have your septic tank inspected annually
t Have your septic tank pumped at LEAST every
five years
t Use phosphate free detergents
t Take unwanted chemicals or prescription drugs
to hazardous waste collection sites
t Do not use toilets as trash cans
t Do not use septic system additives or “cleaners”
Yard Maintenance
t Apply chemicals only as directed
t Cultivate plants which discourage pests rather
than use pesticides
t Leave lawn clippings on lawn or compost them
t Pull weeds by hand
t Clean up after pets
Storm Drains
t Take unwanted chemicals to hazardous
waste collection sites
t Do not pour chemicals into storm drains,
drainage ditches, or sinkholes
Household
t Fix that leaky faucet. If your faucet is dripping at
the rate of one drop per second, you can expect
to waste 2,700 gallons of water per year.
t Check your toilet tank for leaks. Add food
coloring to the tank. If the toilet is leaking, color
will appear within 30 minutes. A leaky toilet can
waste as much as 100 gallons/day.
The Water Cycle
Water is special in that it is the only substance that can exist in liquid, gas and solid form at Earth’s ordinary
temperatures. And, it is common to have all three phases together at the same time, such as in clouds. These three
phases are the key to the water cycle. Here’s how the cycle works:
Water evaporates from oceans, rivers and lakes (water in its liquid form) and rises into the atmosphere (water in its
gas form) where it condenses to form clouds. Precipitation then falls to the earth in the form of rain (water in its liquid
form) or snow (water in its solid form) where it flows into oceans, rivers and lakes and the process begins again.
Did you know……….?
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It takes 2 to 5 gallons of water to brush your teeth
(if you leave the water running)
You can use up to 50 gallons of water to wash the car
If you run your dishwasher, it can use anywhere from
8 to 15 gallons of water
Each time you flush the toilet you use 1.5 to 4 gallons
of water
Your shower or bath uses 17 to 24 gallons of water
35 to 50 gallons of water are used to wash each load
of dirty clothes
Of all the water on Earth, only about 2.8% is available for us to use
97.2% of the Earth’s water supply is salt water
The water you drank this morning might have been the same water a dinosaur drank millions of years ago
There is the same amount of water on Earth today as
there has always been.....the water keeps moving
around in an endless cycle called the water cycle
Is Water Really a Bargain?
It depends on if you think of water as a valuable resource.
According to the United States Geological Survey group,
up to 60% of your body is made of water. And, we have
all heard that drinking eight-8 ounce glasses of water is
a daily recommendation. So, on that basis alone, Iowa
Rural Water rates water as the #1 valuable resource. Let’s
make some cost comparison: Currently, the average price
of water in the United States is about $1.50 for 1,000
gallons. At that price, a gallon of tap water costs less
than one penny.
tMilk................................................... $2.45 per gallon
t Cola (24 oz @ 1.75)........................... $8.96 per gallon
t Flavored Beverage (16 oz @ 1.29)... $10.32 per gallon
t Ice Tea (16 oz @ 1.19)....................... $9.52 per gallon
t Juice (16 oz @ $1.25)...................... $10.00 per gallon
t Mouth Wash (1.5 oz @ $0.99).......... $84.48 per gallon
t Bottled Water (9 oz @ $1.49)........... $21.19 per gallon